Second Chances 2024 – Business of Writing
December 10, 2024 - January 1, 2025
$59.00
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Welcome to the WLT Second Chances sale! From now until December 31, 2024, all of our Fall 2024 class recordings are available to purchase.
From getting your work out there through traditional avenues — via writing the perfect plot synopsis for your query letter, submitting your work to literary magazines and journals, applying to residencies, fellowships, and grants, and developing a publicity and marketing strategy that feels authentic to your writing — to taking matters into your own hands — via our intro level and more advanced level self publishing courses — we’ve got business classes for writers at all stages of their careers.
To find our Craft Essentials, click here.
To find our Craft Deep Dives, click here.
NOTE: This is not a live class registration. When you register, you’ll be receiving access to previously recorded classes taught for a live audience. Registration includes access to any handouts, readings, and slides the instructor originally shared with students. The videos will be available for viewing immediately upon purchase, and will expire on January 31, 2024.
Descriptions for each class recording can be found below. To purchase access to the recordings, all you need to do is add your preferred tickets to your cart and check out. You’ll then receive an email with a link to the class recordings and any class materials.
“Introduction to Self Publishing”
with PJ Hoover
If you’ve ever thought about self publishing a book but have no idea where to start, this class is for you.
Dipping your toes into self publishing can seem overwhelming, and yes, there is a lot to learn, but this class is here to help you understand what you need to know to get your book out there. This introductory class will cover the following topics and much more:
- The difference between traditional and self publishing
- Where to self publish books
- Where to get cover art and interior art
- Formatting your book and finding the right software
- How to request rights back for a traditionally published book
- How and when to copyright a book
- Audiobooks
- Pricing a book and understanding how much author’s make
- How to upload a book to Amazon KDP and Ingram
What students had to say about the class:
- “Excellent presentation! [PJ]’s definitely knowledgeable and presents everything well – many details included. I learned valuable information even though I’ve reissued four books and published two originals, and had books traditionally published!”
- “What an exceptional webinar! I loved it and I received actionable information. My publisher just went out of business and what I learned from the class was how to get back up on my feet and relaunch.”
“Writing a Plot Synopsis Without Losing Your Mind”
with Amy Collins
Are you struggling to write a plot synopsis to include in your agent queries?
A plot synopsis is, simply, “the story of your book,” and a good plot synopsis can often make or break a submission or query. But nothing about writing a synopsis feels simple. In this three hour class, you will learn a quick and effective way to map out and write your plot synopsis. After years of struggling with writing synopses for her clients, literary agent Amy Collins came up with this system and has been teaching it to authors who struggle with wrestling their entire plot lines into a few pages.
This easy step-by-step class will help you polish your existing synopsis or help you write one from scratch. You’ll be lead through a complete synopsis writing session using a series of questions designed to create an outline and lead to a finished document. Using these questions, you’ll write and polish your synopsis all while availing yourself of an experienced literary agent’s expertise. This system has been successfully practiced by hundreds of successfully published authors.
What students had to say about the class:
- “Amy was super knowledgeable and made the class really interesting.”
- “I feel like I’ve finally gotten a handle on how to write a plot synopsis. I definitely feel more confident now about it.”
“Landing Your Dream Pubs: Submitting to Literary Magazines and Journals”
with Julie Poole
The good news is that there’s no secret to getting published; it’s all about clicking that submit button.
It’s easy to feel like your submission process, if you have one, is wonky. Maybe you don’t submit at all. Maybe you don’t submit your work enough. Maybe you don’t know which magazines and journals to submit to. Maybe you’ve been submitting to your favorite journal for years with no acceptance in sight.
In this class, you’ll learn different strategies for submitting to journals and magazines, how to find the best fit for your work, and little tips that’ll make editors take notice. You’ll leave with a better understanding of the submission process, see examples of cover letters and bios, and while rejection is unavoidable, you’ll learn tips to save you time and money and to instill the process with a sense of fun.
This class is all about taking action, so come prepared to party with the online submission platform Submittable. A small portion of class time will be dedicated to a Submission Party—where you’ll submit your work to at least one publication.
What students had to say about the class:
- “I enjoyed the class a lot. I was familiar with a good deal of the information (I’ve been submitting to lit. mags for 10 years), but many tips were new to me.”
- “Actionable advice.”
“Mastering Self Publishing”
with Deanna Roy
This in-depth class is perfect for authors who have experience with self-publishing but would like to dive deeper into the details of release strategy, marketing, and diversifying your writing income.
You’ve self-published a book, but how do you find readers? This class for authors who already know the basics of independent publishing will cover:
- Executing a successful book launch
- Fine-tuning your retailer sales page to attract buyers
- Gathering fans for your newsletter, social media, and ARC teams
- Using free and low-cost marketing strategies
- Maximizing bigger marketing budgets with paid ads
- Diversifying your income streams with multiple ways to package and sell your book
- Rescuing a book that isn’t selling
- Recent changes in the industry since last year
What students had to say about the class:
- “This was WONDERFUL!!!! When I received the packet two or three days ahead of time and looked it over, I was floored. Wow! Great info in the packet and the presentation was amazing.”
- “This is my third time taking this class because I learn so much each time. I love the information and the fabulously frantic pace.”
“What Authors Need to Know: Marketing & Publicizing Your Book”
with Katharine Duckett
Finding your audience is a key part of any successful writing career.
Whether you’re publishing with a Big 5 publisher or an indie press, you need to create a marketing and publicity tool kit that enables you to reach the right readers and create a public presence that feels comfortable, authentic, and sustainable for you as an author.
This class will provide you with skills for working with a publishing team as well as promoting your work independently, and will cover an array of options for building your short and long-term publicity and marketing strategies. We will also discuss working with bookstores, libraries, conventions, and festivals for marketing and publicity events in addition to focusing on digital and print promotion.
What students had to say about the class:
- “Katharine is an excellent instructor. She has obviously held this class many times before. She was very well prepared, and the presentation material was great.”
- “The speaker was dynamic and knowledgeable.”
“Money (& Time & Space) on My Mind: Applying to Residencies, Fellowships, and Grants”
with Reyes Ramirez
What’s the difference between a grant, residency, and fellowship anyways? What are the pros and cons? Where do I even start?
This class will introduce students to the definitions, concepts, and terms often encountered when applying for opportunities. You’ll learn where to look for opportunities, how to determine whether an opportunity might be a good fit, what materials are required for each, and how to prepare for the application process. Ultimately, this class will give writers a foundation for finding and securing opportunities to support their writing projects.
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
If your browser has difficulty with our website store, or if you prefer to mail in a check, click here for a class registration form. The document provides instructions on where to mail it. If you prefer this option, please email wlt@writersleague.org with a copy of the form as well to ensure we add you to the class roster as soon as possible.
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Class & Event Registration Policy
Once a purchase has been made, registrations are not refundable and cannot be transferred to a different class or event. No exceptions will be made. If you purchase a registration and then find you cannot attend the class or event, someone else can attend in your stead. Simply contact us at wlt@writersleague.org and let us know the name and contact information for the person who will be using the registration so that we can update the class or event roster.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.